Local learner takes part in dancing competition in England
Zuan Scheepers told us that he trains for five days a week; and spends three to five hours improving his craft.
A Grade 11 learner at Hoërskool Jeugland in Kempton Park is making a name for himself as a dancer.
Zuan Scheepers (17) recently represented South Africa at the Freestyle World Championships, held in Blackpool, England.
The competition consisted of different dance categories and he said due to his hard work and dedication to dancing, he achieved second place for hip hop and freestyle dance.
He also finished sixth and seventh for slow dance.
Zuan has obtained his national colours and he also dances for live productions, with over nine years of studio experience.
“My love for dance started at a young age, I think I was eight years old. The moment I walked into a studio and began my first dance classes I knew this was what I wanted to do.
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“I love dance because it is my escape place. It is where I can forget about everything and everyone, and focus on the moment and forget all the bad things,” said Scheepers.
He said he had different emotions and feelings while he was competing against other dancers.
“I was very excited and nervous at the same time. It was very nerve-racking to see my competitors but also exciting to show them how invested I am in dance.”
Zuan told the Kempton Express that it was difficult to say that he knew that he was going to win, even though he worked hard.
He said he can also express his feelings through the movement of dance, which makes him feel better afterwards.
He said that he is always creative with his dance moves.
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“What makes me unique is the way I dance. I always use different dance moves that inspire me and make me grow as a dancer in my routines. I also have a positive mindset where I have to get the moves right. I never give up when things get hard,” he added.
Zuan trains five days a week for anything from three to five hours.
He looks up to different dancers who make him want to continue dancing and he has dreams to perform in big places like Broadway, Hollywood, and London where all the big shows happen.
“I look up to big dance celebrities like Derek Hough and Michael Damenski.
“I also look up to dancers who achieved their goals like my coaches Gerhard van Rokyen and Alex Mundell, and all my past and present teachers like Twitch and Kylee, along with Steven Vincent,” he said.
